Monofin, tail and method

Abstract

A monofin, mermaid tail, and method of applying the tail and monofin to increase swimming efficiency and/or aesthetics.

We claim: 
     
       1. A swimming device, comprising:
 a resilient member having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side; 
 a cover having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge corresponding respectively to the first side, second side, third side, and fourth side of the resilient member, said cover covering at least a portion of the first side, second side, third side, and fourth side of the resilient member, and said cover also having at least one region more wear resistant than other regions; and 
 at least one foot retainer attached to or formed by the cover and capable of receiving a user's foot, said foot retainer located near the first edge of the cover so that the resilient member extends under and beyond a user's foot. 
 
     
     
       2. The swimming device of  claim 1  wherein the cover has a top half and a bottom half that respectively cover at least a portion of a top half of the resilient member and at least a portion of a bottom half of the resilient member. 
     
     
       3. The swimming device of  claim 2  wherein the cover is releasably affixed to the resilient member. 
     
     
       4. The swimming device of  claim 2  wherein the cover further comprises a rear side positioned adjacent to the first side of the resilient member, said rear side having a height configured to enclose a user's heel. 
     
     
       5. The swimming device of  claim 2  wherein the resilient member is a monofin. 
     
     
       6. The swimming device of  claim 2  wherein each foot retainer includes a hole formed in the cover for receiving a user's foot. 
     
     
       7. The swimming device of  claim 2  wherein each foot retainer includes a sock structure for receiving a user's foot. 
     
     
       8. The swimming device of  claim 2  further comprising one or more cords for securing the cover to the resilient member. 
     
     
       9. The swimming device of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a mermaid tail configured to slide over a user's feet; 
 the mermaid tail having a leg section, a waist section, and a tail section; 
 the leg section being generally tubular and attached to the waist section so that a user's feet can pass through the waist section and through the leg section; and 
 the tail section attached to the leg section so that a user's feet can pass through the leg section and into the tail section. 
 
     
     
       10. The swimming device of  claim 9  wherein the tail section is configured to extend over the resilient member. 
     
     
       11. The swimming device of  claim 9  wherein the tail section has an open configuration so that a user's feet can extend through the tail section and so the tail section can be wrapped over the resilient member. 
     
     
       12. The swimming device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one region of the cover is located at one or more tips of the cover. 
     
     
       13. The swimming device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one region of the cover is located at a heel of the cover. 
     
     
       14. The swimming device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one region of the cover is made more wear resistant by a coating of strengthening material. 
     
     
       15. A mermaid tail, comprising
 a fabric having a waist section, a leg section, and a tail section, where the tail section includes at least one region more wear resistant than other regions; 
 the leg section being generally tubular and attached to the waist section so that a user's feet can pass through the waist section and through the leg section; and 
 the tail section attached to the leg section so that a user's feet can pass through the leg section and into the tail section. 
 
     
     
       16. The mermaid tail of  claim 15  wherein the at least one region of the tail section is located at one or more tips of the tail section. 
     
     
       17. The mermaid tail of  claim 16  wherein the at least one region of the tail section is made more wear resistant by a coating of strengthening material. 
     
     
       18. The mermaid tail of  claim 17  wherein the tail section is configured to extend over a resilient member. 
     
     
       19. A swimming device, comprising:
 a resilient member having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side; 
 a cover having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge corresponding respectively to the first side, second side, third side, and fourth side of the resilient member, said cover covering at least a portion of the first side, second side, third side, and fourth side of the resilient member; 
 at least one foot retainer attached to or formed by the cover and capable of receiving a user's foot; 
 a fabric having a waist section, a leg section, and a tail section, where the tail section includes at least one region more wear resistant than other regions; 
 the leg section being generally tubular and attached to the waist section so that a user's feet can pass through the waist section and through the leg section; and 
 the tail section attached to the leg section so that a user's feet can pass through the leg section and into the tail section. 
 
     
     
       20. The swimming device of  claim 19  wherein the cover has a top half and a bottom half that respectively cover at least a portion of a top half of the resilient member and at least a portion of a bottom half of the resilient member. 
     
     
       21. The swimming device of  claim 20  wherein the cover is releasably affixed to the resilient member. 
     
     
       22. The swimming device of  claim 20  wherein the cover further comprises a rear side positioned adjacent to the first side of the resilient member, said rear side having a height configured to enclose a user's heel. 
     
     
       23. The swimming device of  claim 20  wherein the resilient member is a monofin. 
     
     
       24. The swimming device of  claim 20  wherein each foot retainer includes a hole formed in the cover for receiving a user's foot. 
     
     
       25. The swimming device of  claim 20  wherein each foot retainer includes a sock structure for receiving a user's foot. 
     
     
       26. The swimming device of  claim 20  further comprising one or more cords for securing the cover to the resilient member. 
     
     
       27. The swimming device of  claim 20  wherein the tail section is configured to extend over the resilient member. 
     
     
       28. The swimming device of  claim 20  wherein the at least one region of the tail section is located at one or more tips of the tail. 
     
     
       29. The swimming device of  claim 20  wherein the at least one region of the tail section is located at a heel of the tail. 
     
     
       30. The swimming device of  claim 20  wherein the at least one region of the tail section is made more wear resistant by a coating of strengthening material.